Jenna Ortega Jokes About Tiny MCU Role in Iron Man 3: 'They Took All My Lines Out'

Do you remember seeing Jenna Ortega in Iron Man 3? You'd be forgiven for missing her blink-and-you'll-miss-it scene where a very young Ortega appears in a wheelchair.

The 22-year-old star of Netflix's Wednesday series and the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie actually made her film debut at the age of 11 in a minor role in 2013's Iron Man 3. Ortega's brief Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance features Miguel Ferrer's Vice President Rodriguez, who, after a stark conversation with Iron Man over the phone, kisses his daughter on the forehead during a Christmas family function. The camera then pans down to reveal that his daughter, played by Ortega, is wheelchair-bound due to a lost limb.

Now, 12 years after Iron Man 3 was released, Ortega was asked by Entertainment Weekly about her experience with the MCU. She humorously recounted her brief appearance in Iron Man 3 and how Marvel Studios significantly reduced her role.

"I did it once," Ortega said. "It was one of the first jobs I ever did. They took all my lines out. I'm in Iron Man 3 for a quick second. I take up the frame, I have one leg and I'm the vice president's daughter."

Her Death of a Unicorn co-star Paul Rudd, who plays Ant-Man in the MCU, also chimed in with a light-hearted comment about Marvel's tendency to lay character breadcrumbs that could lead to something more substantial.

"And so it might very well be that you come back," Rudd continued, "that they are going to create something for you, 'cause they should be so lucky to have Jenna Ortega in their franchise."

Casting doubt on the possibility, Ortega concluded her reflection on Iron Man 3: "They even took my name away," she interjected. "I'm really... but I just... I count that, and then I move on." Ah well.

In truth, Ortega was cast as a child actor in a role that was likely more significant in earlier drafts but was reduced to almost nothing in the final cut of Iron Man 3. It's fascinating that this particular child actor grew up to become one of the most famous actors on the planet over a decade later. If Marvel Studios had a new MCU role for Ortega in mind, she would certainly consider it.

While Iron Man 3 is often considered one of the weaker entries in the MCU, it was a massive hit at the box office, grossing over $1.2 billion globally. Iron Man 3 ranks as the ninth highest-grossing superhero film of all time, surpassing films like Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Captain Marvel.

The MCU was in a very different place back then, and superhero movies now face greater challenges in achieving similar box office success. If Ortega were to join the current MCU, her star power might help boost Marvel's fortunes.

But which character would she be a perfect fit for?